Fujitsu Racing pairing Jason Bright and Adam Macrow saw their hopes of a top five finish in the L&H 500 at Phillip Island washed away by rain which left the duo outside the top ten in the first enduro event of the 2008 V8 Supercar Championship season.

The pair had qualified well after the two sprint races, and Macrow started the 113-lap race from eighth on the grid, although he dropped 17th on the opening lap. However, by the time he pitted to hand the car over to Bright, he had moved into the lead having been able to stay on track longer than anyone else as the field made their first stops for fuel.

Bright returned to the track in 14th position, but was well placed thanks to the fuel ecomony displayed by the car and was soon on a charge as he worked his way back up the order.

On lap 72 the heavens opened while Bright was in fourth position but he gambled on staying on track in the hope that conditions would improve, only for the gamble to fail.

He slipped to eleventh and despite separate Safety Car periods, was unable to make up places as he struggled with back-markers and was involved in contact with two other cars as he tried to make up positions.

“We had a quick car this weekend, but we needed a nice sunny afternoon to really show just what we could do,” he said. “We had by far the best fuel economy. The plan was to make a short stop at the end which would have vaulted us well inside the top-five. In the middle of the race we easily overtook the car that ended up winning!

“When the rain came we took a punt on staying out. It had been blustery all day, but ironically the wind dropped when it rained. In saying that we held onto the lead lap, but with all the cars at least a lap down in front of us we had no chance; especially as no one seemed interested in obeying move over flags.”

Despite the disappointment of missing out on a top ten finish, Bright said he was pleased with how the Falcon had performed with a new engine package onboard for the event.

“I am extremely pleased with how the car performed this weekend,” he said. “Since we debuted some new components at the previous round at Winton and the engine package here, we have jumped well inside the top ten. We still have more to come, including some new parts for Bathurst.

“I feel very confident going to Bathurst. Adam is doing a great job in the driver's seat and our entire group has improved since last year. We nearly won the race last year with a car that is nowhere near as good as this one. We have every right to feel confident going to the Mountain this year.”